Printing sector should adopt new technology

The printing sector entrepreneurs must introduce new technology to contribute more to the country’s economy. The sector needs to be brought under the mainstream umbrella to elevate it to the export level. Chairman of Doshdisha Group, also Vice President of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Md Amin Helaly said this while talking to The Business Post’s Rafikul Islam in an interview

You organised the three-day-long ‘2nd Printech Bangladesh-2022’ from Thursday. What was your expectation from the exhibition?

It was an international technology trade show on printing machinery, parts and consumables held from September 8 to 10 this year at the International Convention City, Bashundhara. Along with it, another trade show was held there as well to focus on materials, machinery and allied products related to paper, packaging and plastic items. Nearly 100 companies participated in the twin exhibition under one roof. 

Entrepreneurs learned more about new machinery from there. And new entrepreneurs also came forward, thanks to it. As a result, our sector will further expand and increase export volume.

You were the founder and the President of the Printing Industries Association of Bangladesh (PIAB) for three times. Please tell us about the sector’s challenges?

Entrepreneurs have to face challenge in every business. The big challenge is to enter the international market. Besides, using new technology and skilled manpower are also challenges to us. 

The price hike of imported raw material due to soaring dollar rate threw another challenge for the sector.

We want to move forward by overcoming all challenges. We need the government policy support.

Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) should complete the modern industrial city for the entrepreneurs of printing sector on 100 acres of land at Dohar of Dhaka as soon as possible. It will help boost our sector.

Please tell us about the industry’s potentiality?

The printing business is one of the oldest businesses in Bangladesh. Once, we had to import all things. Now we meet 100 percent local paper demand. But still some high quality materials are to be imported. The sector has a big potential as the number of population is growing and demand as well. The paper is needed in all sectors like educational institutions and offices.

Now around 7,000 printing entrepreneurs are operating throughout the country out of which almost 2,000 printing houses can be considered modern and updated in technology.

The current market size of the printing industry is over Tk4, 000 crore a year out of which 160 crore is export-oriented. Moreover about 3, 00000 people are engaged in the sector in Bangladesh.

Once, 100 percent printing accessories for garment industry were imported from different countries like Korea and China. Now we supply a good percentage of them.

However, we are to import some special papers and packaging items like duplex, sticker, and art paper from Indonesia and China.

Now, Bangladesh exports papers and materials to India, Russia, Nepal and Sri Lank.

Being the apex trade body Vice President, what type of policy support do you seek for the printing and packaging sector?

Once, India was far behind us in the printing sector. But now they have overtaken us through proper marketing and technology. We have all things but we can’t go forward properly.

We are working to place a proposal to find out reasons and the federation will submit it to the government.

We are trying to bring the sector under a single roof. We demanded a modern industrial city for us. The government accepted our demand. The government is acquiring land at Dohar to ensure a good environment for us. We need all required supports from the government to boost the sector.

What are the services you provide?

I came to printing business in 1990 after my university education. At first, I launched printing press business. I am engaged in multiple businesses particularly offset paper, diary, text book printing and calendars.

What is your future plan?

I want to expand my business further to contribute more to our economy and also increase the export volume.